The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-03
Playing with a Tiger.

there was no hurry about the work our
party was as much hunting as sur
veying party. We numbered about
thirty-eight people, ten of whom were
white men. We were travelling along
the north branch of the Gadavey river
sometimes upon its bank ard again
couple of miles from the water, some
times travelling five or six miles day,
and again hating for couple of days
to fish or shoot-when a most singular
incident befell me individually. l had
left camp at an early hour in the morn
ing to fish. While l carried my rifle
with me l had no intention of going
out of my way to find game. On the
previous afternoon / had observed
what seemed to be a capital fishing
spot in the bend of the river, and it
was to this place l fastened as l left
camp. Some of the native servants
were astir and saw me set out, but l
did not want their service. 1t was a
pretty thick Jungle between the camp
and the bend, but at the bend there
was clear spot an acre in extent with
heavy forest growth and ledge of
rock for a background. AS / took
look around before sitting down on the
bank to my sport, remarked that it
was good spot for wild beasts, but as
there was nothing moving | went right
to work with my fishing tackle. Catch
ing frog for bait, flung in the hook,
and it wasn't five minutes before /
was meeting with such luck that all
thoughts of tigers, snakes and hyenas
were driven out of my mind. | had
10 cd ho1f Gil fab
and was then playing large one, when
slight noise startled me, and looked
around to see such a sight as has sell
dom come to the eyes of a sportsman.
A full-grown tiger was within five feet
of me, playing with one of the fish. 1t
was the last fish pulled out, and in its
dying agonies it was jumping about on
the grass. Every time it moved the
tiger would reach out paw in play
full way, and once or twice he struck
hard enough to move the fish three or
four feet. tell you | was badly
frightened man, and all could do was
to sit there with mouth and eyes open,
The tiger had crept down from the
bluffs, and why he hadn't attacked me
was mystery. He went from fish to
fish, turning them over with his paw,
and time and again brushing me with
his tail as he moved about. Ny rifle
was ten feet away, leaning against a
bush, and | might have been idiot
enough to try to reach it but for warn
ing. My personal servant had followed
me to see what luck | had. He came
into the neighborhood while the tiger
was playing with the fish, and, softly
climbing a tree, he uttered the call of a
bird to attract my attention, and then
sung out: " Do nothing to provoke
the tiger, master. He is hiloweele, and
if you do not cross him he will 90 away
He meant that the spirit of a good ma.
tive had been transformed, and it was
clearly common-sense to follow his adj
vice. AS the beast gave me no atten.
ton, turned to the fish Juggling at my
line and landed him. He was of good
size and full of vitality, and the tiger
waited in playful way until | removed
the hook and threw the fish on the
grass Then he sprung for it as cal
for ball of yarn, and he played witt
it in the same way. 1t was laughable
in spite of the circumstances to wit
ness his actions. He would run around
in circles, as YOU have seen a young
dog do, sometimes almost leaping owe
me, and then again he would becom,
the cat and creep softly forward t
pounce upon one of the fish. Each ont
as caught was flung to him, and it was
full half hour before he grew tired o
the sport. l expected he would turn
to me sooner or later, but the native
saw the change of demeanor, and called
a" Master, the hiloweele is going to pla,
with you! Be as clay in his power.
The tiger suddenly left the last fist
landed, and came stalking up to me
purring like cat and acting very play
full. His first move was to worm hi
head under my left arm, and Pm tell
ing you the solemn truth when | sa,
that / smoothed down his fur as if h,
had been a favorite dog. / had on ;
big straw hat, and this he got hold o
in his teeth and played with for tel
minutes, or until he had torn it all t
pieces. | had no more bait to fish with
and drew in the line and sat Their
waiting for the tigers next move
When he had finished the hat he came
over and rubbed against me, and pure,
in pleased way, and l rubbed hin
with my hand from nose to tail.
gradually got over my scare, but wa
yet very anxious to know how the affai
would end. The sun was getting wa
up and very hot, and the beast woulc
soon be seeking his lair. In abou
thirty minutes from the time he ap
peared, the tiger began to show
change of demeanor. He acted nervou
and uneasy, and the hair on his bacl
stood up at intervals. l judged that h
had got the scent of my servant, an,
such proved to be the case. / dare
not rise to my feet, but made up m
J mind that if the tiger attacked me
should spring off the bank into tn
river. 1t was infested with crocodiles
but there was not much choice betwee
being eaten by beast or saurian. One
. the tiger glared at me and growled
but the next moment whined, as if afraid
and edged up toward me, as if for pre-
lection. The servant had been keeI
ing a watchful eye on my strange play
mate, and he now believed the tim
had come for decisive action. He there
fore fired his pistol and shouted at tn
top of his voice. The effect was imm(
diate. The beast dropped his tai
uttered a long-drawn whine, and with
sort of farewell glance at me he bolte